Knowledge Share

Pet nail care is a vital part of your pet’s complete health care. Because claws continuously grow and are not necessarily worn down as they would if they have been walking a lot, consequently it is up to you to help keep them at a comfy length. When nails are too long, it influences the way a dog walks which can result in joint pain later in life. Additionally longer nails could possibly get snagged and torn, or every now and then curl back into the toe pad and can result in an infection. trimming pet nails is not that upsetting if you have the appropriate gear and have schooled your dog to allow you to hold the paw.

The nail does have a “quick” that contains the veins and nerves of the nail.The quick is easier to view in white nails. By trimming small amounts at any given time and trimming with the plane of the bottom part of the toe pad (horizontally rather than vertically) you can avert clipping the nail to short as to cause it to bleed.

Here are some other tips to successfully cut your pet’s nails:

1. Get started while your pet is still a puppy or kitten by carefully holding their feet. Start by making a sport of it and looking at the nails, then they will allow you to cut them once they grow up.

2. Select a nail trimmers for the size and age of your pet.I frequently use the human toenail trimmer for young pet’s nails since it can get to the tiny points a tad easier and they are sharper. When the kitten or puppy gets older, I may then swap nail trimmers to the scissor action type of trimmer in lieu of the guillotine trimmer. I find that these stay sharper for a longer time and are a lot easier to use. The guillotine kind some times traps the nails and does not create a clean cut. Your veterinarian can help you choose a suitable trimmer.

3. When you are trimming your dog’s nails, never do it while your pet is sitting in your lap. Have someone help you and place them on the counter-top or top of the washer or dryer. You can wrap them with a soft towel to assist holding them a lot better. trimming cat nails can be easier if you scruff the cat by grasping the loose skin just behind the head.. If your pet begins to resist, just try holding the paw until he relaxes. If you let go of the foot whenever your pet begins to protest, you are just re-enforcing the poor behavior and will make the subsequent nail trim event even worse. (Go back to number 1)

4. Be well prepared. Have accessible styptic pencils like silver nitrate or Kwik stop powder. Be aware that the silver nitrate on the end of the sticks will stain counter tops and your skin should you get it on you. For beginners, it is best to stick with the styptic powder.

5. If your pet has light colored nails, you are able to visualize the pink component of the quick. If your pet has darker nails, trim only a little at any given time. I like to gently press on the toe and extend the nail out. I then draw an imaginary line level with the bottom of the toe pad and extend it out across the nail. I then trim the nail at this imaginary line so that the nail is now level with the floor when the dog is standing. The nail of the cat is easier to see and it is best to just trim the tips off and stay away from the pink colored quick.

6. You can use an emery board to smooth the rough edges.

7. Pedipaws or similar rotor drill sanders are helpful to smooth rough ends and also to trim just a tiny bit of nail. If the nail is very long whatsoever, then it will take you forever to get it trimmed. You might use the drill to maintain the nail shorter or for smoothing the nail after you have used the clippers. Your pet must also be taught not to be terrified of the noise, so it is advisable to move slowly and gradually as you each learn to control the drill.

After a little practice and a lot of patience, you will soon be trimming your pet’s nails with full confidence. If all else fails, your veterinarian or groomer are here to help.

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